CTFishTalk.com: Candlewood: help please! - Connecticut Lake Reports ( CT Lake Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

FishAllDay · Joined: 18 May 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Ridgefield, CT

Before I start asking questions, I understand that everyone has secret lures/spots and if you don't want to disclose them that is completely fine.

So, this is my first year fishing Candy and I love it so far, beautiful lake, clean, plenty of potential good fishing spots. The problem is I've never fished anything this big before and my small lake/pond tactics are not working. My first trip out I caught a few decent size smallies and a largemouth but have had trouble since. I know I need to put in the "time and work" into finding the fish but I feel more and more helpless each time I go out. There are multiple tournaments a weekend here so there has to be fish right! Here is what I have been doing this summer (any criticism is accepted!)

-fishing every shallow cove with various rapala's, spinners and plastic worms
-fishing next to docks with gary yamamoto's
-fishing shallow areas marked with hazard bouys (usually rocky)
-and as a last resort fishing with minnows (the only thing that seems to work!)
-also if someone could explain what dropshotting is and if its a common tactic at Candy

I understand the fishing depends on conditions (temp, weather, season), but I only have another month till I have to go back to school so I'm desperate to start landing some fish. My dad loves fishing and I've been dying to have a great day of fishing with him but we even got skunked on fathers day! I'm considering hiring a guide to take me around for a day just to see what sort of tactics he uses so that I can use them with my dad. Before I put that kind of money down I'd like to see if any of you could help me! Any tips at all would be much appreciated and if you'd rather PM me go ahead. Thanks in advance!

-Sean

Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I see you're trying to throw various Rapalas. Do you have any deep divers than can get down 10+ feet?

Trolling slowly with deep diving Rapalas can also work. Lures such as JSR-7, SRRS-5, SR-9, MR-9, TD-9, GSR-5, JDHJ-12, FR-5, DHJ-10, and XRS-8 would all be Rapalas to consider.

This time of year bigger fish and most fish are deep or taking cover in weed beds. Fish come into the shallows more often in the evening and early morning this time of year.

Large coves and steep drop offs near islands are other places to consider.

Jeff · Joined: 06 Jul 2012 Posts: 167

Find some nice drop offs in the middle of the lake. Work a jig or soft plastic up the drop and you should land some fish.

The best docks to fish are the ones that have rails/supports in the water. I have much better luck fishing those than the floating docks. Most people have the floating docks though.

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

Danbury Bay west shore. Whacky Rig Green Pumpkin w/red flake on a #1 Circle Hook. Hit every rock and dock and hold on! When you master that I'll give you a few more spots. Top Water and Drop Shot. I'm still learning the Jigs.
_________________
Don't hold your farts in! They travel up your spine to your brain and thats where shitty ideas come from.

clinteastwood · Joined: 29 Mar 2012 Posts: 87

Good advice from the others. I mostly use Rapalas and troll deep as it is a deep lake but yes there are a lot of tournaments up there. It's also hit or miss with the weather. I just went out yesterday 7/13 and only got a couple of fish, one bass one yellow perch all morning. The Friday before I had off from work and was working the same area and could not keep a line in the water. Fishing was explosive, but then 7/13 a cold front came through and it throws things off. I have a lot of plastics I would like to try but when I go I don't have a lot of time. A few hours most days so I stick to what usually works for me. Hopefully some day I'll have the time to spend a whole day up there.

nories · Joined: 14 Jul 2013 Posts: 80

Fishallday,,All techniques will work at Candy,, I know guys that flip, drop shot, crank,,etc,,I guess all that I can tell you is that you have to spend time on the water or go out with somebody that knows the lake and will take time to show you,, I have fished Candy for years,, I would be happy to go out,, My old username was flippy,,and yes I LOVE TO FLIP,,I dont know why my new computer wouldnt let me get on under my old username,,I think my girlfriend really messed something up,,lol,,I will send you a pm,,

avidangler · Joined: 08 Jan 2013 Posts: 469 Location: Forestville

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

Redneckangler · Joined: 05 May 2012 Posts: 851 Location: Meriden, CT

FishAllDay · Joined: 18 May 2011 Posts: 12 Location: Ridgefield, CT

UPDATE: took my dad out and we drop shotted minnows in various drop offs and hooked into a few! Nothing special yet but I'll try to perfect the technique and find the money holes. Thanks a ton guys!